BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum and the GOP-controlled Legislature renewed their longstanding power struggle Wednesday, with the second-term governor vetoing a bill that would prohibit state officials from mandating face coverings.
In his veto message, Burgum said North Dakota law assigns the governor the responsibility to “minimize or avert the adverse effects of a disaster or emergency.”
“To strip future governors and their state health officers of any low-cost tool that might be used to save lives and livelihoods in a future pandemic or other emergency would be both irresponsible and unnecessary risk to the future public health and well-being of North Dakota citizens,” Burgum wrote.
The bill received broad support in both legislative chambers, with a 67-24 vote in the House and a 30-17 vote in the Senate.
Bill sponsors have argued there was no proof that masks work to slow the spread of the coronavirus and they questioned the government’s role in mandating them.
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